| Game 16 |
Liberty (9-6-2, 5-2 ASUN) |
| Date | Time |
Sunday, October 27, 2019 | 12:00 pm |
| Location | Arena |
Newark, N.J. | Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium |
| All-Time Series |
NJIT leads 1-0 |
| Live Stats |
In-Game Statistics |
| Live Video |
Highlander Sports Network |
NEWARK, N.J. --- With a spot secured in the 2019 ASUN Conference Tournament, NJIT Women's Soccer (6-6-3, 3-3-1 ASUN) will complete its regular season schedule on Sunday with a Senior Day matinee against Liberty.
LAST TIME OUT
NJIT snapped its three-game losing streak and kept their ASUN Conference playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over the Jacksonville Dolphins Thursday evening at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium. NJIT dominated Jacksonville in the first half - the Highlanders methodically built up a 12-1 edge in shots and 4-0 advantage in corner kicks - and cashed in on their efforts with Lauren Chamberlain's third goal of the season (45'). After a lead pass from
Nora O'Connor to the left corner, Chamberlain pushed forward and dodged right to get a clear look at the net and bent home the chance to the upper right corner. The Highlanders ended the game outshooting JU 19-8 and holding a 7-5 edge in corner kicks.
PLAYOFF STATUS
After North Alabama's loss to Kennesaw State on Friday, NJIT officially secured a place in this year's ASUN Tournament. The Highlanders currently occupy sixth place in the standings and will know their quarterfinal opponent after conference play concludes Sunday.
COMPILING CLEAN SHEETS
Thursday's shutout of Jacksonville was NJIT's 25th clean sheet since joining the ASUN in 2015. The team logged four shutouts in 2016, seven in 2017, nine in 2018, and five so far this year.
SECOND ASUN HONOR FOR HIGHLANDERS
Aseng secured NJIT's second ASUN Defensive Player of the Week award of the season for her play against Stetson and North Alabama. She helped the Highlander defense allow only one goal in their two wins and added her first-ever goal against UNA. The DPOW honor is the fifth all-time for NJIT and follows Molly Saylor's accolade from the first week of the season.
DEFENSE WINS GAMES
The Highlanders currently rank in the top four in the ASUN Conference in goals against average (0.95; 2nd) and goals allowed (15; 2nd) while Molly Saylor is pacing the league in save percentage (.847), second in saves (83), and fourth in GAA (1.02).
THE WRIGHT STUFF
Fiona Wright has extended her NJIT Division I record for career goals scored this season. With a team-leading three goals in 2019, Wright has now scored 14 goals in less than two seasons.
SCOUTING LIBERTY
Liberty currently sits in fourth place in the conference after winning four of their last five games and beating league-leading FGCU in their last contest. The Flames are led by Gabrielle Farrell (9 goals, 2 assists), Kasey Jamieson (5 G, 3 A), and Melody Jayroe (1.14 GAA, .818 save pct, 90 saves).
ALL-TIME SERIES
NJIT and Liberty have faced off once in their history, with NJIT winning that matchup last year (3-1 on September 23, 2018 in Lynchburg, Va.).
ONE LAST HURRAH
Sunday's match will be the last home game for seven NJIT seniors. Being honored before the game will be Chinyere Chambers, Fiorella Doglio, Emily Heckman, Dunja Trajkovic, Lizzy Wolfe, Alexis Magruder, and Jessica Aseng.
NEW ERA FOR NJIT ATHLETICS
Women's Soccer's opener against UMBC was the first regular season game played on NJIT's new field, which was completed this summer. It also marked the first on-campus contest for the Highlanders' three outdoor teams - women's soccer, men's soccer, and men's lacrosse - since November 7, 2015.
For more information on the project, please visit this link: http://bit.ly/30jV1hA.
2019 OUTLOOK
NJIT will have 19 returners and seven newcomers on the roster as the Highlanders look to follow up on a historic 2018 campaign that saw the team set a program record for wins (11) and finish as the regular season runner-up in the ASUN Conference.
The Highlanders will be led by 2018 ASUN Coach of the Year Ally Nick, ASUN Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Conference selection Fiona Wright (11 goals in 2018), and Second Team All-ASUN honoree Nicole Loehle (2 goals; started 17 games for ASUN's 4th-ranked defense at 1.17 goals allowed per game).
NEXT UP
NJIT will compete in the ASUN Conference Tournament; opponent and location will be determined after Sunday's games.
